It’s summertime, and the living is easy! How about embroidering some freestanding flowers and attaching them to a pair of sandals for a fun, fresh look! Pair the Brother free design of the month with some colorful ribbon for a simple, quick accent. Be prepared! Your friends will be asking you where you got your pretty new sandals.

Note: Make sure you select glue that adheres to the materials used in your project and dries clear. You’ll find glue made specifically for attaching trims to fabric and leather at a local sewing or craft shop.

Clips or clothespins for securing flowers while glue dries.

Seam sealant for treating cut ends of ribbon.

Pre-purchased sandals with space for attaching flowers.

Note: Supplies listed here are for a total of six flower accents. Adjust as needed for the specific amount you need for your project. White netting is featured in this example. See supplies in Figure #1.

Figure #1

Disclaimer: The sandals pictured are Poshmark/385 Fifth Sandals and the ribbon brand is Offray. Brother International Corporation makes no representations or warranties regarding such products.

Brother Free Design of the Month

Steps to Create Sandals Embellished with Embroidered Accents

Set up machine for embroidery and transfer design to your machine. Determine the number of flowers you can fit on your sandals. In this example there are a total of six. Next, add designs to fill the hoop with multiple patterns, rotating and moving as necessary so they all fit without touching one another. See Figure #2.

Figure #2

Tip: Use the zoom tool to check designs for spacing. See Figure #3a and #3b.

Figure #3aFigure #3b

Hoop netting with one layer of water soluble on top and one on the bottom, sandwiching the two layers of netting between the stabilizer. Embroider flowers in desired thread color. See below:

Use the sharp scissors to trim each flower close to stitching line, trimming away excess stabilizer and netting. Cut two pieces of ribbon measuring two inches long for each flower. Cut ends at a 45-degree angle, treat with seam sealant and let dry. See Figure #4.

Figure #4

Wash stabilizer out of flowers, dry and press lightly with low temp iron. Create accents by pinning a flower in the center of each set of crisscrossed ribbons. See Figure #5.

Figure #5

Set up machine for sewing using foot “N.” Select the decorative star stitch. Select option to sew just one pattern. See settings in Figure #6.

Figure #6

Tack ribbons to flower by stitching a single star design in the center, removing pin before you stitch. Repeat for each flower. See Figure #7a and #7b.

Tip: Use a thread color that matches your ribbon for a coordinating look.

Figure #7aFigure #7b

Carefully glue the center of each flower in position on your sandals, following manufacturer’s directions for glue and holding flowers in place with clips until they dry. See below: